Any guitar players here?

[Roguish Lawyer]

My soon-to-be 5-year-old wants a guitar for his birthday. I would appreciate suggestions about what kind to get him. He apparently intends to take lessons, but it is quite possible he will play with the guitar rather than play it.

[pulque]

Hi RL.

Brand should NOT matter at the age of 5.

I am assuming you want to start him out on an acoustic guitar. Its good for learning, no need for amp so its better for you too. If you have some time, you can take your son to the guitar store and find one which sounds good to both of you.

I think the important thing for a 5 year old would be profile. He wont be able to play at all if its too large. Find one with a small profile. Beginner guitars can be had for ~$30 USD.

hope that helps.

[skipjack]

RL,

I have been playing guitar for 12+ years and my first guitar was an electric (can't even remember the brand...$100). Anyway, For a 5 year old, almost any cheap electric guitar will do, as he will probably beat the hell out of it, plus it's just for learning. Although, learning on an acoustic is probably the better way to go since, there is less equipment (no amp) and switching from acoustic to electric is much easier than from electric to acoustic. As for brands, a cheap Fender Stratocaster would be more than sufficient (can find for $300 or less), might even be overkill, but that is up to you and your son. As far as acoustics go, I played everything from Ovations to Taylors ($2000+) and one of the best guitars for the money hands down in my opinion is a Cort ($200-$800). I bought mine for $350 brand new and it is one of the best acoustic guitars that I have owned and for that price it's unbeatable! That's a little start, I'm sure you have started doing your own research as well. Let me know if I can be of anymore help.. if this has helped at all...lol.

-skipjack

[RLK]

I'm teaching myself right now but for what little my opinion's worth, if you want to get him a keepsake, one he'll treasure forever and grow with, you can't beat a guitar made in Nashville. An old Gibson will still be cool as it gets older. Check out eBay and your local pawn shops for the best deals.

Jus' my take.

Twink

[skipjack]

That's true Gibson's are GREAT guitars.. in fact, my next guitar will be a Les Paul Classic!

-skipjack

[Bravo1-3]

RL, I suggest you get an acoustic for him to start with. At age 5, his hands are just too small to work correctly on a full-sized guitar. There are "kid size" guitars available at most guitar shops. They have a smaller body, more narrow neck, and are ususally short a few frets so they can play the full available range. The shorter neck means that he's not going to be able to play in every key, but that's not really an issue. The big thing is that he gets professional instruction to develop the correct technique and motor skills/muscle memory.

Since neither of you are players, get an electronic tuner (about $30-$45) to use until he can tune it by ear.

Edit to add: After reading some of the above replies. Brand isn't a big issue at age 5. Function is the issue. Get him a "keepsake" guitar when he's big enough to use it.

My $.02, and worth what you paid for it.

[pulque]

Bravo1-3 is correct. Instruction is important at that age, if your son takes to the guitar after you produce it.

When I assumed you were starting acoustic, I was injecting my bias. The reason acoustic transfers more easily to electric is because typically the "action" of acoustic is tougher to handle.

I still think you should go to the store with your son to size the guitar (1/2 size or 1/4 size).

[Roguish Lawyer]

Thanks, all. Definitely going acoustic. Issue is whether to get children's size or 1/2 size, and classical or acoustic. Advantage of classical seems to be that some strings are nylon and easier on little fingers, while acoustic has a narrower neck so he can reach all of the strings easier. Any thoughts on these issues?

[mumbleypeg]

The issues are as you state. Softer strings, narrow neck vs Harder strings, thinner neck.
There may be more and better choices in Steel string. If you stay in the 1/2 or 3/4 the reduction in scale length relieves some of the string tension, making it easier to play and less painfull for small fingers.

If you can find a good quality nylon that he likes and that fits him, I would suggest this as an excellent choice. Nylon is much less painfull and much quieter. A win win situation.

If you find an instructor that works with young learners they may have some great suggestions.

[aricbcool]

Advantage of classical seems to be that some strings are nylon and easier on little fingers, while acoustic has a narrower neck so he can reach all of the strings easier. Any thoughts on these issues?

You can get nylon strings for a regular acoustic guitar you know. :)

My question is what kind of music is he going to be playing?

If you're looking to put him in serious instruction (perhaps in classical music), I would talk to the instructor as he may have certain requirements.

If it's more for campfire type songs, or whatever he wants to play, get him a regular acoustic guitar and put some nylon strings on it.

Reason being that he will have an easier time playing (narrow neck, soft strings) and will also have an easier time adjusting to new guitars (read non-classical) down the road.

Were you wanting it to be a surprise?

If you're not wanting to take him with you to size the guitar, I would go with the smaller one. One can always play a guitar that's too small. Hell, I still play with my first guitar (1/2 size) all the time. If it's too big, all he can do is wait for his hands to grow.

A note about nylon: If you end up going with nylon strings, make sure the configuration will fit the guitar.

Most classical guitars don't have the convenient catch holes (not sure what their actual name is) and so the strings are just that, strings.

However, all of the acoustic guitars I've played are designed for strings that have little balls at the end so you don't have to tie them in both places. (see attached image)

Like I said, make sure you buy strings that match the configuration of the guitar or you'll end up like me, tying little knots in the end and finally giving up after the new strings sound like crap. ;)

Anyways, I've been playing for about 12 years now and for all you guitar lovers out there, I've got an electric Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean. (see other attached picture.)

Regards,
Aric

[Bravo1-3]

Thanks, all. Definitely going acoustic. Issue is whether to get children's size or 1/2 size, and classical or acoustic. Advantage of classical seems to be that some strings are nylon and easier on little fingers, while acoustic has a narrower neck so he can reach all of the strings easier. Any thoughts on these issues?

The more narrow neck is more appropriate. The difference in the softness of the strings minute when the guitar is tuned unless he's going to play for hours at a time. Ideally, what he's going to learn in the first year of practice is NOT learning bad habits (which he will learn immediately with a guitar that doesn't fit). Also, steel strings sound better, stay in tune longer, don't break as much, and are a hell of a lot easier to change.

As for Childrens or Half-Size, the only way to really decide is to sit him down and hand him one. He should be able to reach the "E" string (The heavy one on top) with his index and middle finger easily when holding it like he was going to play it.

Good luck. Trust me when I say this: If he take to this, you are in for 12 years of Parenting "fun". But at least you've got a few years before he comes home with an Amp that goes to 11. :D

[Roguish Lawyer]

Good luck. Trust me when I say this: If he take to this, you are in for 12 years of Parenting "fun". But at least you've got a few years before he comes home with an Amp that goes to 11. :D

It's still better than a drum set. ;)

[Kyobanim]

Get him something the whole neighborhood can enjoy . . .